The Pickens sentinel. [volume] (Pickens, S.C.) 1871-1903, 1887-01-27
4 TALK ABOUT INDIANS.
AN INTERVIEW WITH COL. ARTHUR
GRABOUSRI,
The Indians and their Future--Interestine
Facts Concerning their Education and
their Progress.

The Indians and their Future--Interestinl
Facts Concerning their Education and
their Progress.
(From the Augusta Chronicle.)
Colonel Arthur Grabouski was in Au-
gusta yesterday and, tho Chronicle re-
porter failing to catch him on the wing,
drove out to the stately mansion of Mrs.
James Gardiner. The reporter was
usherod into the parlors at the hospitable
mansion, but was not allowed to remain
there but few seconds before he was
nshered into the sitting room, where
Colonel Grabouski was seated before O.
comfortable fire.
The Colonel has q distinguished as
well as classical appearance, and the
cordial greeting extended the Chronicle
representative, when he informed the
Colonel OF his mission, Immediately
Stamped hlm as man of excellent judg-
ment. lie was willing to give the people
any information that ho might possess
that would be OF interest to them, The
reporter thereupon said:
colonel, knowing that you had some
trouble in Kansas and that charges were
made against you, will you kindly tell
me about it and also something about
the Indians?"
"Tho difficulty lad was simply the
objection of the people of Kansas to an
outsider taking charge of what they con-
sldcr home institution. In addition
thereto there is considerable feeling still
existing there in regard to the war.
These charges against me were so con-
tlnual that three or four timer tho de-
partmont sent investigation committees
all OF whom were perfectly satisfied that
thero was no cruelty, and that everything
was managed satisfactorily"
elias the feeling died out?"
ut was only amongst few and has
entirely died out. AS an evidence Of
which there was rendered on my leaving
q JOINT banquet with x-Governor Charles
hoblnson, given by at least one hundred
ana nifty OF tho leading citizens, at which
banquet received handsome souvenir.
Whilst greatly interested in the work of
educating the Indians the duties were
exceedingly onerous, and having an ap-
polntmcnt offered in the Department. of
tho Bureau Of LGbors-tho distributing
OF products which would make my field
OF labor III Georgia. Alabama, Missis-
Slppl and Loulsana--l accepted it,"
THE WORK AMONG TIE INDIANS.
''Ihc people would like to know some-
thing of your work among the Indians;
will you kindly enlighten them?"
"Haskcll Institute is one of the United
States Indian industrial schools, having
during my administration three hundred
pupils, Onc-third Of whom were females
ranging i'll age from II to 30 years, re-
siding at the institution provided with
everything by tho government. The
object of the institution is to lot indus
trial training go hand in hand with the
English language and the fundamental
principles of an education. Among the
trades taught are blacksmithing, carpen-
torlng, shocmaking, farming, tailoring,
etc. "
GLOW do they tako to cducation?"
"Ihey arc Intelligent when aroused.
and they make remarkable progress in
the English language They make them
selves understood and their shop work
is Of value in q short time"
"After being in the institution anv
length of time do they retain their
treacherous naturo?"
"Iheir nature is suspicious, not treach-
crous. After they give confidence and
obedience for once it is for good. I do
not rccollcct single instance in which
man or woman went back on a promise
given the superintendent.
"Whnt do you consider the main lever
III the education Of the Indians?"
"Undoubtcdly tho effect of Christiani-
ty upon tho morals and lives of there
people. This opinion is shared in both
1y the President and the Secretary of
"What becomes of these Indians after
finishing their education?"
"SOme of them return to their people
and become instructors in what are called
agency schools, others become govern
mcnt employees at agencies. The maiori-
ty, however, form what is known as the
new Indian element, they are the FREIGHT
crs and small farmers Of the agencies
and arc the ones who are now asking n,
distribution of Indian lands in severslfy."
"HaVo you ever visited the Indian
Rgencies?"
81 have visited a number Of them, met
the chief men in council and went in o
number of their camps from tent to
tent"
Having bccn among them, what is
your opinion upon the solution of this
troublesome prOblem?"
'Iho middle aged Indian, man OF
woman, will have to pass to their grave
but little improved, as they seem unsus-
copt1blo OF improving. The hope of the
Indian race lies in those under twenty
tive years OF age. Instances are not un-
common where Older Indians take steps
toward civilization in breaking grounds
FOR farms, but these are exceptions.
Recognizing this the Government directs
It's attention to the young mon and
women OF the different tribes, and will
undoubtedly solve the question by tho
gradual extinction of the old Indian and
the budding citizenship of the young
Indians"